Mobilizing Public Support for Policy Initiatives That Enhance the Quality of Teaching. Final Report.

Palaich, Robert M.; Lacy, Michael G.

This report highlights key issues behind the public's desire for better teaching, following up on discussions by leading policymakers, educators, researchers, and communications experts about what role they can play in developing a quality teaching force. This diverse group met to describe key elements of quality teaching and to develop strategies for mobilizing public support for recruiting, preparing, developing, and retaining high-quality teachers. Data from this meeting suggest that the public believes quality teaching coupled with accountability for student learning is critical to educational reform. There is, however, little political consensus about the best approaches to obtaining a higher quality teaching force. Policymakers are experimenting with strategies focused on all aspects of teacher quality. Educators, researchers, policymakers, foundation officials, and school and district educators must work collaboratively to build a coherent strategy and message if they are to mobilize public support for quality teaching initiatives. This paper discusses what the public wants for new and current teachers, and it notes barriers to quality teaching (teacher shortage, teacher qualifications, and teaching outside the area of expertise). It describes common beliefs related to improving quality teaching, discusses how policymakers are reacting, and presents recommendations for policymakers, researchers, educators, and foundations. (Contains 20 endnotes.) (SM)